Every year the Australian Cake Decorating Network stops to celebrate the
best of the craft: the decorators, the artistry, and the businesses
behind them. Nominated by the community, decided by community voting
and our Guest Judging Panel, celebrated together on the night.
From the maker who set the standard to the newcomer who turned heads,
the awards recognise every kind of brilliance in the network.
Decorator of the Year
The most prestigious title of the night. The decorator the network believes deserves to be crowned the best in the country.
The Jo McIntosh Cake Mate Award
For your best mate in the cake industry. The person who always has your back, helps you out, teaches you, and supports other decorators.
Wedding Cake Artist
For the decorator whose wedding cakes really stood out this year, whether traditional or modern, covered in gorgeous sugar flowers or pared back to a minimalist design.
Buttercream Artist
For the decorator who chooses buttercream as their medium, on cupcakes or cakes, novelty or wedding, and makes it sing.
3D and Novelty Cakes
For the maker with an eye for scale and perspective when sculpting, and the confidence and skill to create gravity-defying features.
Modelling Artist
Celebrating the skill and detail of modelling: people, animals, characters and more, in edible and non-edible form, used to adorn a cake or baked creation.
Cupcake Artist
For the standout cupcake decorator, the one who creates amazing designs and shows excellent decorating technique.
Fondant Cookie Artist
For an outstanding fondant cookie decorator whose work rises above the rest.
Royal Icing Cookie Artist
For an outstanding royal icing cookie decorator whose work rises above the rest.
Wafer and Sugar Flower Artist
Wafer and sugar flowers are a true art. This celebrates the maker who creates the most stunning and realistic blooms in the country.
Rising Talent
For the exceptional new talent who joined the cake decorating and baking industry in the last three years. The one to look out for.
Teacher of the Year
For the teacher whose class, online course, book or magazine column made for an amazing learning experience, across any medium in the field.
New Product
For the product launched in the past two years that changed the way you work, made decorating easier, or saved you time. The real game changer.
Retailer of the Year, One Store
For the single-store or online retailer with exceptional customer service every time, and an excellent range for all your cake decorating and baking needs.
Retailer of the Year, Two or More Stores
For the multi-store retailer with exceptional customer service every time, and an excellent range for all your cake decorating and baking needs.
ACDN Choice
The network's own choice award, recognising a maker or business the community especially wanted to celebrate.
How it works
Nominations. Voting. Winners.
Three steps. Get your nominations ready, rally your votes, and join us
when the winners are announced. The community and our Guest Judging
Panel decide it together.
The winners of each category will be determined by both public voting
and judging by our Guest Judging Panel. One vote in each category per
person. Multiple vote submissions will not be counted.
1
Nominations
To be announced
Put forward the makers who deserve it, including yourself. Nominations open across every category.
2
Voting
To be announced
The community votes alongside our Guest Judging Panel. One vote in each category per person. Multiple vote submissions will not be counted.
3
Winners
10 September 2026
The winners of each category will be determined by both public voting and judging by our Guest Judging Panel, announced live on the night at the Awards Night.
Dates for the 2026 awards are being confirmed and
will be announced here. Become a Cake! Friend and
you'll hear the moment nominations open.
The Awards Night
The whole network, in one room.
The Awards Night is the celebration the year builds towards. The cakes
on the screens, the makers on their feet, and a room full of people who
understand exactly how much work it took. Whether you're up for an award
or simply there for the night, this is where the community comes
together.
The next Awards Night is on the calendar.
Ticket sales open soon; save the date and we'll point you straight to
them.
Stay close
It carries on in the Cake! app.
The awards are one night, but the community is every day. In the Cake!
app you'll see the nominees, follow the makers you admire, and be part
of the conversation long before and after the night itself.
